What are your impressions, and why do you think the way you do? What questions remain in your mind?

Questions for Comprehension and Analysis

1. Where, and why, did demonstrations occur in cities all over Russia on June 12? Approximately how many demonstrators participated, and how many participants were apprehended? What were the reasons for the protests?

2. Who is the main architect of the protests, and similar ones last March? What was the reason for his arrest as he left his apartment to attend one of the demonstrations?

3. What did the police do before the demonstrations to try to prevent people from attending them?

4. What did Nikita Orlov, an 18-year-old student of international law, say about her reasons for participating?

5. What happened between the Kremlin and Aleksei A. Navalny on March 2? What do Mr. Navalny’s critics say about him? Give two examples.

6. Why were protesters waving copies of the Russian Constitution at the protests? Do you think their protests have merit? Why or why not?

What Do You Think?

Why do you think there so many demonstrations sweeping Russia, mostly by young people?

Predict what will happen if the protests will continue. Will the Kremlin listen and respond to the complaints? Will the protesters see changes? If so, what will change, and why? If not, why not?